A NEW councillor for Workington Town Council is following in the footsteps of her father, who was himself a fiercely independent, hard-working public servant.

New councillor Patricia Poole felt compelled to stand for the seat which her father, Joe Holliday, held for many years, and was victorious in the latest Allerdale Borough Council by-election.

Coun Poole is a new representative for St John’s Ward on Workington Town Council.

She is well aware of the issues in the town as she is the mastermind behind the Helena Thompson Museum and a governor of St Joseph’s Catholic High School and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School.

The seat was up for grabs in the by-election on a county council, borough council and town level.

She admitted to feeling some reluctance about the move into politics as she is working full time and an acting governor at the schools.

Patricia said: “After my dad died I had phone calls from Allerdale Independents and the local Conservatives asking if I would stand in St John’s to represent them which I thought was very nice of them to think I could do it for them, but I just wanted to stand as my dad did, independently.”

But Patricia was not without support as her family were behind her during the campaign.

She has thanked friends, family and the community for their backing during her campaign, which was bitter sweet.

Patricia received the same support from her mother Dorothy that was given to Joe during his long service to Allerdale and St John’s ward.

Many will recognise Dorothy as a support to Joe during Workington Town Council meetings.

“For 20 years she was always by his side and she was with me at this count.

“It was a family effort, as it was with my dad.”

Patricia is proud to carry the torch for her father.

“It’s keeping his memory alive. The amount of comments and flowers, cards and messages I’ve had. It was overwhelming.”

She has said she will continue to serve as a governor for the schools.

“I absolutely love it, I always have done.

“There’s nothing better than supporting students and seeing them grow up through the years, especially when they’re leaving St Joes.”

Patricia said that by the time they leave the secondary school she has seen them blossom into mature and caring adults.